Some theologians argue that this is a more divine and spiritual state, a kind of practice or discipline of love.

The idea that loving another person fully is a measure or capacity of how much love and compassion one is able to hold for themselves.

Check yourself and your values: Are you more interested in having a reminiscent thought about a love affair you had while traveling abroad?

Or in smiling into your smartphone at the smile you receive back when your partner phones to share a story? [image: via Robert Bejil on flickr] Leslie Malchy is a Relationship psychotherapist working in private practice, Soft Landing Therapy, in Downtown Vancouver, BC, Canada.

An early indicator of this may be when you see your partner’s yoga pant strewn about on the floor after a quick practice and smile with affection, despite your need for order and cleanliness.

Being able reach the stage of love in a relationship is not always easy.

Naama : Someone who is exciting about discovering other people. And at the same time who is willing to give up control and surrender. Le Love Lab : How is the lesbian dating scene in Tel Aviv ?

Le Love Lab : How was falling in love for the first time ? Le Love Lab : What are the biggest turn-offs for you ? Naama : I think its very similar to any other big city in the world.

Naama : It is smaller and it is harder to find new people that didnt sleep with your ex or yours ex’s ex…Le Love Lab : What do you think people assume about lesbian that is not true ? It is just something men like to say to themselves in order to keep their egos intact.

Sometimes the infatuation state ends close to where it started. Or with longing and unrequited feelings, and eventually heart break. The state of love arrives in a later stage of relating, a graduated process from infatuation, friendship and/or companionship towards genuine appreciation, warmth, respect and admiration.